Gifts for Everyone In Your Office That Won’t Break Your Budget

Jennifer Liu

November 30, 2017

You finally nailed down what you’re getting for your hard-to-shop-for brother, your non-materialistic best friend and even the extended relative you hardly know that you drew for Secret Santa. You’re on track to have your shopping done early this year! That is, until you remember your work crew is also doing an exchange, and you’ve only got a few more days to get it all together.

Gifts for ... Your Co-workers ($10 or less)

Think you can’t gift something great for less than the price of lunch? Think again. Choose a practical gift the receiver will actually use (bonus if it has some holiday flair) and it’ll seem much more memorable than you’d expect at a low price point, says Laura Jennings, CEO and founder of Knack, a custom gifting site.

“Morning, Beautiful” stoneware mug, Target, $6. So your office bestie no longer has to scour the office kitchen before they’ve had their caffeine.

“Let’s Do This” tear-off notepad, Rifle Paper Co., $8. For the mornings they need an extra pep talk to jumpstart the day.

Aqua headphone hub, Poppin, $9. Show me a person who doesn’t have issues with tangled earbuds, and I’ll show you a liar. This time-saver works with most headphones and small cables and is small enough to tuck into purses, pockets and desk drawers.

The Face Shop The Solution sheet mask, Urban Outfitters, 2 for $5. Turns out glowy, dewy skin does come in small packages. Choose from a brightening, hydrating or pore-purifying solution.

Gifts for ... Your Employees ($20 or less)

“Employees are the one category of business gift recipient where gift cards are a reasonable choice,” Jennings says. But if you want to go above and beyond, or if your team’s small enough that you can tailor gifts to each individual, consider these picks.

Merlot-infused coffee, Uncommon Goods, $20. For the moments when you can’t decide to end a meal with a glass of wine or a cup of joe … why not have both?! This medium roast has a profile of red berry flavors and hints of currants and blackberries. It’s caffeinated, but not alcoholic.

The Sill planter and air plant, West Elm, $20. No green thumb? No problem. These air plants require just a few spritzes of water every now and then. Plus, the minimalist design won’t clutter desktops.

Gifts for … Your Boss ($30 or less)

Gifting upwards isn’t required, Jennings says, but if you do, it’ll be appreciated. According to a survey from Knack, the higher up the corporate ladder someone is, the more satisfied they are with their holiday gift. Giving as a group is less awkward and more practical — aim for $10 or less per person.

A Day in Tea miniature set, Palais des Thés, $27. A mini selection of four teas suited to every time of day: morning, after lunch, for an afternoon pick-me-up and in the evening.

State-scented candle, Homesick Candles, $30. The cliché candle gift — but with a twist. Each candle captures the scents of a specific state (think apple orchards for New York, sea breezes for California or spruce needles for Colorado) and burns up to 80 hours.

Faux leather portfolio, See Jane Work, $26. Help the boss stay organized with a professional-looking portfolio, which includes a letter-size pad of paper, interior and exterior pockets for loose sheets, a business card pocket and a pen holder. Bonus: It’s designed for both lefties and righties.

Gifts for … a White Elephant ($10 or less)

Sriracha keychain, Sriracha2Go, $5. So they never have to be without their favorite hot sauce again. (At 1.7 ounces, it’s also TSA-friendly.)

Reindeer noses, Sugarfina, $9. Holiday sweets may be everywhere, but few are as cute as these raspberry-flavored gummies.

Party Animal virtual reality glasses, Paper Source, $10. Users can download the Party Animal app (available on iOS or Android), put on these masks and watch their friends transform into 3-D animal heads. Now who’s ready for the office holiday party?

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